Agriculture Loan

In addition, purchasing of land, or purchasing of agricultural tools, storage of produce and transport, cost of ploughing land for sowing, weeding, and transplantation also are included under purview of agricultural loans.

Farmers can avail an agricultural loan starting at 7% p.a. and with processing fee ranging between zero to 4% of the loan amount.

Agricultural Loan Interest Rate

Agriculture Loan Interest Rate for different Banks in India

Types of Agriculture Loan

Given below is the list of types of agriculture loans that you can avail for yourself:

• Crop Loan: These types of loans are also known as Retail Agri Loans is a type of loan which allows a farmer to meet his short-term expenses arising due to cultivation of crops, maintenance of farm equipment, and other post farm activities. The farmer gets a credit card called the Kisan Credit Card on availing this type of loan which they can use to withdraw money to make necessary purchases to meet their farming needs.
• Agricultural Term Loan: These are long term loan schemes which a farmer can avail to meet their non-seasonal expenses. One can avail this loan to buy or upgrade equipment such as windmills, solar power, etc. The repayment tenure for such kind of loan schemes can go up to 4 years allowing the farmer to repay the amount in a convenient manner.
• Solar Pump Set Loan: If a farmer is involved in small irrigation projects and require capital to buy photo voltaic pumping system, then availing a solar pump set loan is the appropriate option. The repayment tenure for such loan schemes go up to 10 years.
• Loan for Allied Agricultural Activities: Farmers involved in allied agricultural activities can apply for such type of loans if they need to raise working capitals to meet their farming expenses.
• Farm Mechanisation Loan: If a farmer requires working capital so that they can either purchase new farming machineries or upgrade their existing ones such as purchasing a new tractor or getting an old one repaired, then they can apply for these types of loan schemes.

Other types of loans

• Agricultural Gold Loan: The applicant can avail this type of loan by pledging their gold ornament as security. The loan amount can be used to meet various farming expenses such as buying machineries or to meet cost related to cultivation of crops. These types of loans are generally offered at a low interest rate and also allows a farmer to use their gold which would otherwise stay idle.
• Forestry Loan: If a person is involved in growing crops which grows on trees, then they can apply for a forestry loan. The loan amount can be used to meet the cost of activities such as converting a barren land into a farming land, setting up irrigation channels, clearing wild trees, etc.
• Horticultural Loan: Farmers involved in setting up vegetable farms and orchards can apply for a horticultural loan which not only allows them to meet the cost of managing such type of farms, but also helps in meeting the expenses related to other horticulture activities such as clearing wild trees, setting up fence, etc.

Some of the banks who provide Agriculture Loan India

How to Apply for an Agriculture Loan?

If you are looking to apply for an agriculture loan, it is advisable to research your options online and apply for a loan of your choice by visiting the nearest branch of a lender. When visiting the branch, ensure that you carry the required documentation along with you to quicken the application process.

Certain lenders may also give prospective borrowers the option to apply for an agriculture loan online through their official websites. In this case, you will need to navigate to the respective website, click on ‘Apply Now’, enter the required details in the application form, and upload the necessary documents onto the website.

Regardless of the channel that you choose, the lender will verify your application and approve it. Once your application gets approved, the loan amount will be disbursed into your account.

Why Should You Take an Agriculture Loan?

A number of lenders today, offer a range of agriculture loans for the benefit of their customers. The various purposes for which you can avail an agriculture loan are as follows:

• Purchase of farming machinery and equipment
• Purchase of land
• Horticulture projects
• Purchase of vehicles
• Establishment of dairy units
• Establishment of small poultry units
• For working capital needs
• For seasonal requirements
• For fish farming

Features and Benefits of Agriculture Loans

The key features and benefits of agriculture loans are as follows:

• Simplified Documentation: When borrowing an agriculture loan, applicants will only have to submit a few documents such as a valid photo identity proof, proof of residence, etc. These documents can be submitted along with one’s application form.
• Quick Processing: Lenders will verify your application form and the documents submitted by you, after which your loan application will be approved. The loan amount will be disbursed to your account soon after this.

• Competitive Interest Rate Charged: Banks and financial institutions that offer agriculture loans charge a competitive rate of interest that start as low as 8.80% p.a. Borrowing a loan with such a low interest rate can help you keep the overall cost of your loan down.
• Loan Repayment Tenure Options: A number of agriculture loan providers offer both short-term and long-term credit solutions. Thus, based on your financial requirements and repayment capacity, you can opt for a loan product that offers a suitable product term.
• No Hidden Charges: When you borrow an agriculture loan, you may need to pay other charges such as the processing fee, pre-payment charges, etc. However, lenders will usually inform prospective borrowers about the various charges that they may have to pay for before the loan is borrowed.

Documents Required for Agriculture Loans

The documents that you may be asked to submit at the time of applying for an agriculture loan are as follows:

• Duly-filled application form
• KYC documents
• Land/asset documents
• Security PDC
• Any other document mandated by the lender

Eligibility Criteria to Borrow an Agriculture Loan

The eligibility criteria to borrow an agriculture loan will vary based on the type of loan scheme that you opt for. The generalised eligibility criteria, however, are as follows:

• The applicant will have to be between the ages of 18 years and 70 years.
• The individuals will have to own the necessary assets, which will need to be hypothecated to the bank once the loan is borrowed.
• Loans can be applied on an individual basis or joint basis, based on the lender’s terms and conditions.

Highlights of the Union Budget 2020-21 in Terms of Agriculture

• The Central Government’s allocation for agriculture in the 2020-21 Union Budget was Rs.2.83 lakh crore.
• Out of this, Rs.1.73 lakh crore has been earmarked for rural development and ‘'Panchayati Raj’'.
• The rest has been allocated for irrigation for which 20 lakh farmers will be provided with individual solar pumps.
• Agricultural credit availability has been fixed at Rs.15 lakh crore.
• Comprehensive measures have been implemented to aid districts that face shortage of water.
• More emphasis is placed on solar power and less on kerosene through expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM scheme) which will increase solar capacity by a total of 25,750
• Solarised grid-connected pump sets will be provided to 15 lakh farmers.
• The government will establish solar power generation units through which solar power will be sold back into the grid during the non-cropping season, thereby augmenting the income of farmers.
• A streamlined national cold supply chain will be established through the launch of special train services called Kisan Rail. This will be a public-private partnership model. This will aid in the daily transport of perishable goods such as fish, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.
• Each state will be encouraged to adopt model agricultural laws.
• The balanced use of fertilisers will be encouraged so that the current use of chemical fertilisers (which is incentivised) is reduced.
• A Village Storage Scheme, which is managed by women’s Self-Help Groups (SHG) will help farmers to store their crops for an extended period of time while also cutting down on logistics expenses.
• Inventory storages, agricultural warehouses, and cold storage units will be geotagged by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
• A One Product One District scheme will be introduced for the horticulture sector to distribute products.
• The Aviation Ministry will launch the Krishi Udaan scheme which will establish connections between farmers and the domestic and international market. This will help them get a better price for their produce through institutionalised supply chains. Even during times of a dip in prices due to abundant supplies, farmers can still sell their produce to other markets for a good price through this channel.
• E-services will be integrated with financing of warehousing receipts that are negotiable.
• Measures will be taken to eliminate foot and mouth disease in goats and sheep by the year 2025.
• A Fish Farmer Organisation will be established to involve the youth in the fisheries sector as 'Sagar Mitras'.
• Measures will be taken to double milk production by the year 2025 to 103 metric million tonnes.
• The Antyodaya Scheme will promote Self Help Groups for women.

Agriculture Loan FAQs

1. Can loan be availed for purchase of land?

Yes, banks do extend loans to farmers for purchasing lands. However, banks usually finance purchase of land within a radius of 3 to 5 Kms of their residence or within village boundary.

2. Can I pre-close my agriculture loan before the completion of the loan tenure?

Most lenders will allow you to prepay the outstanding loan balance and pre-close the loan amount before the completion of the loan tenure. However, you may need to pay a pre-closure penalty to the lender.

3. What are the different stages involved in the process of availing an agriculture loan?

The key stages involved in the process of availing an agriculture loan are as follows:

Submission of application form and relevant documents Lender processes the application Loan amount is sanctioned Loan amount gets disbursed into the customer’s savings account

4. How long do lenders take to process agriculture loan applications?

The time required to process your application will vary based on the lender’s terms and conditions. That said, most lenders take around 7 days to process loan applications.

5. Will I need a guarantor to avail an agriculture loan?

Yes, most lenders will require you to have a guarantor.

6. Can loan be availed for purchase of land?

Yes, banks do extend loans to farmers for purchasing lands. However, banks usually finance purchase of land within a radius of 3 to 5 Kms of their residence or within village boundary.

7. Who can apply for such land purchase?

Farmers who own less than 2.5 acres of irrigated land or 5 acres of non-irrigated land, i.e-marginal and small farmers-are eligible to buy land by availing a bank loan. Sharecroppers and tenant farmers can also be covered under the scheme.

8. Can loans be availed for purchasing land in the name of women?

Yes, it is possible. As per Govt policy women owning land could lead to their empowerment. Hence, purchase of land in women can be financed and preference can be given to women in distress, SHG members and widows etc.

9. What are the other allied activities eligible for agricultural loan?

In addition purchasing of land, or purchasing of agricultural tools, storage of produce and transport also are included under purview of agricultural loans.

10. How much agricultural loan can be availed without any security?

To encourage institutional borrowing among farmers, banks have relaxed security or collateral for agricultural loans.

As per RBI directive, crop loans till an amount of Rs. 1 lakh require no security. Loans over Rs. 1 lakh may require security as per the lending banks terms and conditions.

Similarly, there is no margin for loans for purchase of land up to Rs 50,000 and amounts higher than this require a margin of 10%. The land is supposed to mortgaged in favour of the Bank and is considered the security.